All teams but the U15s (without a game) were back to league action this week with some decent weather for a change…
Middleton Cheney F.C. U12s 2 v 1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds U12s
Played at Middleton Cheney F.C, Banbury
Early pressure from the hosts was intense, but on Diamonds first attack, Owen Butt put Charlie Pearson through to slot home and an unforeseen 1-0 lead. The Diamonds keeper, Josh White, made some superb saves throughout the match to earn himself the silver award. Diamonds held onto their lead right up to half-time but Middleton kept piling on the pressure and it was only the resolute defending that kept them at bay.
Middleton always made a quick start at the beginning of each period but just could not break through. Deep into the 3rd period Will Jones made a great run but was denied by a crucial tackle right on the edge of the Middleton penalty area.
Half-way through the final period Middleton had a free kick from the left hand side, only for it to brush the head of a Diamonds player and beat the keeper to give Middleton a well-deserved equaliser. Moments later the home side hit the post with a scramble in the box. With 7 minutes remaining Diamonds came back fighting and on the break but only to be fired straight at the keeper. A minute later, Jake Lilley took a free kick from the right and Charlie Pearson’s head connected well to be brilliantly saved by the home keeper.
Late pressure was again all Middleton’s and they were rewarded with the sucker punch a minute from full time and a deserved 2-1 win.
JPL match report can be found here
AFC Rushden & Diamonds U13s 2 v 6 Leamington Hibs F.C. U13s
Played at the Malcolm Arnold Academy, Northampton
As part of the ongoing tactical development Alex Rust carried out some analysis on today’s visitors prior to the game using information he could gain.
In the previous five JPL games, Leamington had scored an impressive 21 games conceding just 6. Alex was spot on and for three of the four period Diamonds were more than a match is all areas.
Martyn’s JPL match report can be found here
AFC Rushden & Diamonds U14s 1 v 2 Middleton Cheney F.C. U14s
Played at the Malcolm Arnold Academy, Northampton
Nick’s JPL match report can be found here
Corby Town F.C. U16s 2 v 3 AFC Rushden & Diamonds U16s
Played at the Kingswood School, Corby
JPL match report can be found here
